Not too long ago, my family and I took a trip to North Georgia to spend time near some of the many parks situated in the Georgia-North Carolina region. On our first day in the area, we headed to Stone Mountain Park. While the park features many sites, on this day we planned on hiking to the top since it was already in the late afternoon.

I was surprised how many people were also hiking the mountain, but once I reached the top, I understood why. The sheer flatness of the top allows for great views of the surrounding area and of downtown Atlanta in the distance. Moreover, the hike up was quite gradual for the most part, making it a family-friendly activity.

It was a few days later when we revisited Stone Mountain Park to see the famous carving on the side of the mountain. This depiction of Confederate leaders remains etched into the side of Stone Mountain, and the park provides different spots to see it from afar and up close. I found it especially interesting to see this carving in today’s climate and will be curious to see if any changes will be made down the line. While an impressive feat of artistry, its memorial-like nature does make me question its future status.

While we were in North Georgia, we also headed to the famous Tallulah Falls. The hikes and waterfalls were absolutely breathtaking, and the gorge itself was something I stood and looked at for a long time. The park even has a suspension bridge for guests to walk across to catch every angle of the gorge and the flowing water below. The weather was just perfect as well, not too hot or cold, making the hike to and from the bridge all the more enjoyable.

The day after visiting Tallulah Falls and Gorge, we stopped at Amicalola Falls State Park for even more waterfalls and views. We took our time on this hike, enjoying the wildlife and scenery before reaching the 729-foot waterfall. Amicalola Falls is the highest waterfall in Georgia, something I didn’t know at the time.

Photo 149465778 © Leeta13 | Dreamstime.com

— Aoife O’Riordan, associate editor